Chris Williamson MP

"He is certainly no loss. His frequent ill-tempered outbursts were an embarrassment to the Labour Party.

"His disdain for grassroots members was palpable as was his contempt for Labour’s progressive policy programme that secured the party’s biggest increase in vote share since 1945.

"The truth is he fought the last election under false pretences, using the Labour brand to get re-elected.

"Another positive thing about his departure is that Labour Party members in Dudley North can now select a candidate who will work with them to fight for Dudley, rather than fighting against them.

"For Austin to salvage any shred of credibility he must resign as an MP and fight a by-election in his Dudley North constituency, but in view of his obvious contempt for democracy over the last three and a half years I think he’s unlikely to do so."[5]